Surfing at Margaret River, Australia – featuring Kelly Slater
Just one look at the names who have cut through the waves at Margaret River in recent times makes you realise that the swells there are truly world class. Surfing legend Kelly Slater dropped in on the Western Australia location in 2011 to take part in the Association of Surfing Professionals Prime Rated Telstra Drug Aware Pro and he was quick to enthuse about the location:
“Margaret [River] is such a great spot because it’s clean & refreshing with hundreds of great waves and lots of great food. You can’t escape the wineries…you’d be hard pressed not to do that while you are here!”
There are more than 40 places to surf in Margaret River with conditions ranging from powerful reef breaks to fun beach breaks.
While you're putting on your wetsuit, watch the locals pull in to perfect barrels and make radical ‘snaps’ off the top. The wave itself is a super steep take off, through a round bowl section into some nice walling cutback faces as the wave peels through towards the beach. It's one that will leave your heart pounding and can make the whole trip worth it.
If you aren’t an experienced boarder then help can be found at Josh Palmateer’s Surf Academy. The former pro-surfer introduced surf coaching to Margaret River in 1994, starting up the first private surf school in Western Australia. In 1995 Josh launched his own Surf Academy. It now runs classes in Margaret River and Mandurah from November to May, and travels to Broome in the off-season from July to October.
He may not be able to get you surfing like Kelly Slater, but the adrenalin rush will more than compensate!
surfing; surf; australia; western australia; margaret river; Kelly Slater; waves